Defining the input parameters of a rule

You can define input parameters to control the type of information that users can pass to a rule. By referencing these input parameters in your rule logic, you can use run-time data to make decisions.

For example, you can define income, debt, and expense information as input parameters to a rule in a life insurance application. At run time, the rule calculates a debt-to-income ratio to determine which policy plan meets the customer's lifestyle.

Note: Some rules do not support parameters or support only a subset of the options below. Names of fields may vary, based on the type of rule that you are updating.

  1. Open the form for a rule that supports parameters by searching for the rule or using the Application Explorer.

  2. Click the Parameters tab.

  3. In the Parameters section, repeat the following steps for each input parameter that your rule supports:

    1. Click the Add item icon.

    2. In the Name field, enter a unique identifier.

    3. In the Description field, enter text that describes how your rule logic processes the input parameter.

    4. In the Data Type list, select a format for the input parameter.

    5. To require a non-null value for the input parameter, select Yes from the Required? list.

      Do not make Boolean input parameters required because your application can interpret a false value as a null or blank value.

    6. To set the initial value of the input parameter, enter a value in the Default Value field that corresponds to the format that you select in the Data Type list.

  4. For each input parameter with Data Type set to Page Name, add an entry to the Pages & Classes tab of the form.

  5. Update your rule logic on other tabs of the rule form to reference the input parameters by using the notation param.[ input parameter name ] .

  6. Click Save.

You can test your changes by running the rule and providing values for the input parameters when prompted.